From Harvest Fields to Kitchen Tables

September has a way of drawing us back to the kitchen. The mornings feel cooler, the evenings arrive sooner, and familiar routines begin to settle around us again.

For many of us, September brings memories of children heading off to school, lunchboxes lined up on the counter, church suppers being planned, and something warm baking in the oven. Baking has always been a gentle way to mark the changing season, filling the home with the comforting aroma of bread, cookies, pies, or muffins.

One of our household favourites is rhubarb custard pie. With rhubarb in abundance this time of year, I like to freeze some for later. I also use it in one of my favourite muffin recipes by replacing the crushed pineapple with crushed rhubarb. I adjust the sugar slightly, so the muffins are sweet, but not too sweet. Rhubarb makes a great substitute—try it, and you will not be disappointed.

As the crisp air of autumn settles in, the kitchen becomes the heart of the harvest season. Loaves of bread rise on the counter, filling the house with the comforting smell of freshly baked dough. Golden wheat, apples, pumpkins, and garden produce wait to become hearty loaves, sweet buns, muffins, pies, soups, and preserves.

The warmth of the oven balances the cool winds outside, and every slice of bread seems to tell the story of the season’s abundance. Baking becomes more than a task; it becomes a celebration of harvest, family, friendship, and the simple pleasure of sharing food together.

Beyond the kitchen, September is also harvest time in the fields. The season has begun, although rain has caused a few delays. The air carries the familiar smell of combine dust, and everyone hopes for a bountiful crop. If you have time, take a drive through the countryside and watch the harvest in progress.

Our grandson loves riding in the combine, grain cart, or swather. If it involves machinery, farming, and Grandpa, he is in his happy place. He is still at least a year away from kindergarten, but we may be tempted to keep him home for one more harvest season.

The changing season also brings familiar outdoor signs, including the movement of geese. This time of year, local outfitters guide hunters on goose hunting trips. I have not seen many geese yet, but they are on their way south as they begin their migration. For the next six weeks, we will hear shotguns early in the morning and around supper time. There are restrictions on when geese can be hunted. A couple of years ago, I wrote a blog about Henry and Henrietta, two imaginary geese, and what it might be like to be part of the hunting season.

After the fields and outdoor activity come the gatherings that make autumn feel complete. As harvest nears its end, fall suppers begin. Churches and community groups often host these large meals to raise money for different causes. Most feature turkey with all the trimmings—mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, perogies, carrots, salads, pies, and much more. Many dishes are homemade and include ingredients from local gardens. These suppers are always welcomed and enjoyed by people throughout the community.

From there, the season turns toward getting ready for what comes next. As September comes to an end, people will be busy preparing for that dreaded word: “snow.” Although winter is a season many of us enjoy, getting ready for it always takes some adjustment. Garden produce will be pulled, frozen, or stored in a cool place. Lawnmowers will be replaced by snowblowers, tractors will be fitted with snowploughs, lawn furniture will be covered and put away, and snowmobiles will come out of hiding, ready for the first big snowfall.

Along with the busy work of the season, September also offers quiet moments if we take time to notice them. I’m not sure how many of you took time to watch the lunar eclipse about a week ago. I usually miss nighttime sky events, but this time I managed to catch part of it. I was fortunate enough to watch from my bedroom window, which made it much easier since I tend to go to bed early most evenings.

A lunar eclipse is one of those quiet wonders of the night sky. As the Earth moves between the sun and the moon, its shadow slowly covers the moon, softening its usual glow. At times, the moon can take on a reddish or copper colour, making the moment feel both mysterious and beautiful. Watching it from the comfort of home made it even more special.

A fitting song for this time of year is Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon.” Its gentle, reflective feeling pairs beautifully with September evenings, harvest memories, and the quiet gratitude that comes from gathering the season’s blessings.Thanksgiving feels like the right time to pause and take stock of the season’s blessings.

The next long weekend will be Thanksgiving. Some years the harvest is finished by then, while other years farmers are still out in the fields. Farming depends so much on the weather, and relying on Mother Nature can be stressful, to say the least. We had another powerful lightning storm last night, with thunder and some rain. Fortunately, we did not receive too much rain here, though some areas may have had a major rainfall—if the weatherman was correct. And we all know the weatherman is often wrong.

As September turns to October, may we pause to enjoy the season’s simple gifts: a warm kitchen, a full table, good neighbours, changing skies, and the many blessings gathered from the field, the garden, and the heart.

Enjoy your harvest, whatever that may be!

Merle Lee Ann Pratt – merleleeannskitchen.com Email: merleleeann@gmail.com

YouTube: @merleleeanskitchen

Note: Parts of this blog were written with the help of Copilot in Word.

This column is sponsored by MacKenzie Funeral Chapel and Crematorium – We will be there when you need us.

130 9th St. E, Prince Albert, SK

Phone: (306) 763-8488 – https://mackenziechapel.ca

by Merle Lee Ann Pratt – Merle Lee Ann’s Kitchen, author of “A Baker’s Dozen”

From Harvest Fields to Kitchen Tables

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